Ground engaging component and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component is disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of compacted powders including carbon, titanium, and a first alloy, the first alloy having a first composition and heating the mixture to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to combine the mixture to form an insert having a desired shape. The method further includes locating the insert in a desired position in a mold and casting a second alloy having a second composition into the mold, the second alloy forming a ground engaging component with the insert bonded therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure provides a ground engaging component and a method for manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND

For industrial operations like construction, mining and agriculture, breaking ground is an important step. The use of the right Ground Engaging Tools (GET) in proper working condition is important for increasing the productivity of the operation. Such tools have components, for example teeth, that engage with the ground during operation. These components, or specifically ground engaging components, often wear out prematurely and lose their shape requiring frequent replacements.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,192 discloses a composite tooth for working the ground. The tooth consists of a ferrous alloy reinforced by titanium carbide. It also discloses a method for manufacturing the composite tooth comprising casting a ferrous alloy into a portion of a mold having imprint of the tooth. Such portion has a mixture of compacted powders comprising carbon and titanium granules for the reinforcement. Casting of the ferrous alloy into such portion facilitates formation of the reinforced portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component is disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of compacted powders including carbon, titanium, and a first alloy, the first alloy having a first composition and heating the mixture to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to combine the mixture to form an insert having a desired shape. The method further includes locating the insert in a desired position in a mold and casting a second alloy having a second composition into the mold, the second alloy forming a ground engaging component with the insert bonded therein.

A ground engaging component is also disclosed. The ground engaging component includes at least one insert manufactured from a mixture of carbon, titanium, and a first alloy, the first alloy having a first composition; and a casting including at least one insert; the casting formed of a second alloy having a second composition, the second composition different from the first composition.

A ground engaging tool is also disclosed. The ground engaging tool includes one or more ground engaging components, at least one ground engaging component having an insert manufactured from a mixture of carbon, titanium, and a first alloy, the first alloy having a first composition; and a casting including at least one insert; the casting formed of a second alloy having a second composition, the second composition different from the first composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a ground engaging component in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2A and 2B illustrates top perspective and bottom perspective view of a ground engaging component in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrates a ground engaging component in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an excavation tool with the ground engaging component mounted thereon in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The present disclosure relates to a ground engaging component and a method of manufacturing the ground engaging component. FIG. 1 illustrates the method 100 for manufacturing the ground engaging component. In step 102, a mixture of compacted powders including carbon, titanium and a first alloy having a first composition is provided. Such mixture is obtained by blending powders of first alloy, titanium, said titanium may be in the form of titanium or ferro-titanium, and carbon, said carbon may be present in the form of graphite, followed by pressing into a desired insert shape or laying of the mixture in a vessel or mold of the desired shape. In step 104, the mixture is heated to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to combine the mixture to form an insert. In step 106, the insert is located in a desired position in a mold having an imprint of the ground engaging component. In step 108, a second alloy having a second composition is cast in the mold to facilitate fusion and mechanical bonding of the second alloy with the insert. The second alloy forms the ground engaging component with the insert bonded therein.

Heating, in step 104, facilitates reaction between titanium and carbon thereby forming titanium carbide which provides wear resistance to the insert. Such reaction is highly exothermic in nature and only requires small amount of energy for initiation. After initiation, the reaction spontaneously spreads through the remaining mixture due to high temperature attained. Such types of reactions are known as Self propagating High temperature Synthesis or SHS reaction.

In an embodiment, the mixture of compacted powders may also include tungsten which reacts with carbon to form tungsten carbide upon heating. Tungsten carbide provides wear resistance to the insert. Further, it increases the density of the insert to match that of the second alloy, thereby aiding in the placement and retention of the insert in the desired position in the mold. In other embodiments, the mixture of compacted powders may have one or more of nickel and other alloying elements.

In an embodiment, the first alloy and the second alloy are ferrous alloys. The first alloy has a first composition selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel and high alloy steel.

In an embodiment, in step 106, the insert is located within the mold in areas of high wear of the ground engaging component to create localized reinforcement. In other embodiments, the method 100 further comprises forming a plurality of inserts and locating the plurality of inserts in the mold. The plurality of inserts may be symmetrically located in the mold to provide strength to the ground engaging component.

In an embodiment, the second alloy has a second composition selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel and high alloy steel, such that the second composition is different from the first composition.

FIG. 2A and 2B illustrate top and bottom perspective view respectively of the ground engaging component 200 in accordance with an embodiment. The ground engaging component 200 has at least one insert 202 manufactured from a mixture of carbon, titanium, and a first alloy, the first alloy having a first composition; and a casting encompassing at least one insert 202; the casting formed of a second alloy having a second composition. The second composition is different from the first composition.

In an embodiment, the insert 202 is located within the ground engaging component 200 in areas of high wear to create localized reinforcement.

In an embodiment, the mixture may have tungsten. In another embodiment, the mixture may have one or more of nickel and other alloying elements.

In an embodiment, the first alloy and the second alloy are ferrous alloys. The first alloy has a first composition selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel and high alloy steel.

In an embodiment, the second alloy has a second composition selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel and high alloy steel, such that the second composition is different from the first composition.

In an embodiment, the ground engaging component 200 further comprises a plurality of inserts 202 with the casting of the second alloy including the plurality of inserts 202 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, 3B and 3C. The plurality of inserts 202 may be symmetrically located within the ground engaging component 200 as illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B. In an embodiment, the plurality of inserts 202 are located within the ground engaging component 200 in areas of high wear to create localized reinforcement. In other embodiments, the plurality of inserts 202 may be located within the ground engaging component 200 to provide strength and toughness to the same, as illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B.

The insert may be any suitable shape as required by the ground engaging component 200. For example, the insert 202 may be cylindrical as illustrated in FIG. 3A or rod shaped as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In other embodiments, the insert 202 may be shaped to form a part of the tip of the ground engaging component 200 as illustrated in FIG. 3C and 3D.

In an embodiment, the ground engaging component 200 is obtained by the method 100 disclosed hereinabove.

In an embodiment, the insert 202 includes first alloy reinforced by titanium carbide such that the titanium carbide is evenly distributed throughout the insert 202.

The ground engaging component 200 can be mounted on various types of tools including excavation tools and drilling tools. The ground engaging tool can be used in machines including excavators, dozers, backhoe loaders, motor graders, paving equipment, rippers, scrapers etc. FIG. 4 illustrates a ground engaging tool 300 with the ground engaging component 200 mounted thereon, in accordance with an embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

During industrial operations, ground engaging tools in proper working condition are important for increasing the productivity of the operation. Such tools may have ground engaging component(s) which engage with abrasive surfaces. These tools, specifically ground engaging components often wear out prematurely and require frequent replacements. This increases the downtime and reduces the productivity of the operation.

The present disclosure provides a ground engaging component 200 that is formed from a first alloy, titanium, carbon and a second alloy. The ground engaging component 200 is reinforced by titanium carbide which provides improved properties.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a ground engaging component 200 having an insert 202 of first alloy, titanium and carbon. Further, the insert 202 has even distribution of titanium carbide throughout. The insert 202 is located within the ground engaging component 200 to create localized reinforcement in areas susceptible to high wear. This provides wear resistance to the ground engaging component 200 which prevents premature wear. Furthermore, loss of shape of the ground engaging component 200 is avoided.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a ground engaging tool comprising one or more ground engaging components 200 The ground engaging tool can be an excavation tool, drilling tool or any other tool known in the art.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method 100 for manufacturing a ground engaging component. The method 100 includes providing a mixture of compacted powders including carbon, titanium, and a first alloy, the first alloy having a first composition (step 102). The mixture is heated to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to combine the mixture to form an insert having a desired shape (step 104). The method 100 further includes locating the insert in a desired position in a mold (step 106). The second alloy having a second composition is cast into the mold (step 108), the second alloy forming a ground engaging component with the insert bonded therein. The method 100 provides flexibility in varying the types and the numbers of insert for a ground engaging component. Further, forming the insert outside the mold ensures better control over the manufacturing of the insert.

In yet another aspect, the mixture of compacted powders includes tungsten which increases the density of the insert to match that of the second alloy, thereby aiding in the placement and retention of the insert in the desired position in the mold.

While aspects of the present disclosure have seen particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

1. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component, comprising: providing a mixture of compacted powders including carbon, titanium, and a first ferrous alloy, the first ferrous alloy having a first composition; heating the mixture to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to combine the mixture to form an insert having a desired shape; locating the insert in a desired position in a mold; and casting a second ferrous alloy having a second composition different than the first composition into the mold, the second ferrous alloy forming a ground engaging component with the insert bonded therein.
 2. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mixture of compacted powders further includes tungsten.
 3. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mixture of compacted powders further includes one or more of nickel and other alloying elements.
 4. (canceled)
 5. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first composition is selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel, high alloy steel and any combination thereof.
 6. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second composition is selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel, high alloy and any combination thereof, such that the second composition is different from the first composition.
 7. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mold comprises an imprint of the ground engaging component.
 8. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbon in the mixture of the compacted powders is in graphite form.
 9. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 1, further comprising forming a plurality of inserts and locating the plurality of inserts in the mold.
 10. A method for manufacturing a ground engaging component as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of the inserts are symmetrically located in the mold.
 11. A ground engaging component, comprising: at least one insert manufactured from a mixture of carbon, titanium, and a first ferrous alloy, the first ferrous alloy having a first composition; and a casting including the at least one insert; the casting formed of a second ferrous alloy having a second composition, the second composition different from the first composition.
 12. A ground engaging component as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first composition is selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel, high alloy steel and any combination thereof.
 13. A ground engaging component as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second composition is selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel, high alloy steel and any combination thereof.
 14. A ground engaging component as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of inserts with the casting of the second alloy including the plurality of inserts.
 15. A ground engaging component as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of inserts symmetrically located within the ground engaging component.
 16. A ground engaging tool comprising one or more ground engaging components, at least one ground engaging component having an insert manufactured from a mixture of carbon, titanium, and a first ferrous alloy, the first ferrous alloy having a first composition; and a casting including the at least one insert; the casting formed of a second ferrous alloy having a second composition, the second composition different from the first composition.
 17. A ground engaging tool as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first composition is selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel, high alloy steel and any combination thereof.
 18. A ground engaging tool as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second composition is selected from a group consisting of carbon steel, low alloy steel, high alloy steel and any combination thereof.
 19. A ground engaging component tool as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of inserts with the casting of the second alloy including the plurality of inserts.
 20. A ground engaging tool as claimed in claim 16, wherein the ground engaging component comprises a plurality of inserts symmetrically located within the ground engaging component. 